Grounding fitting



y 1932- 1.. H. CHURCH GROUNDING FITTING Filed July 25. 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 1 F l G. 3.

avwemtoz LEW/S H CHURCH May 31', 1932. H CHURCH GHOUNDING FITTING FiledJuly 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 avweufoz LEW/J f1 CHURCH v, Maw

4 Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEWIS H. CHURCH, OFWESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO THE THOMAS & BETTE (29.,01'ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A OOBPOMTION OF NEW JERSEY GBOUNDING FITTINGApplication filed July 25, 1929. Serial No. 880,789.

This invention relates to electrical connecting devices and moreparticularly to grounding fittings for establishing a ground wire orelectrical connection in house and building 5 wiring systems to renderthe same safe by grounding ofi' and transmitting away stray current orshort circuits to the ground through a water or gas pipe or otheravailable conductor leading to the ground.

An object of the invention is to produce an improved grounding fittingincluding means to establish a positive electrical connection with apipe or other similar grounded conductor, as well as provide anchoragemeans by which to attach a ground wire protective covering, such as acable or conduit, to the grounding fitting, and also to provide asuitable ground wire terminal connector on the fittin Fu ther objectsinclude that of adaptability of the frounding fitting to difierent wateror grounded pip: sizes whereby the grounding fitting can attached to apipe of any size met with in houses, buildings and the like wheninstalling the ground wire system; and

more especially this particularinvention has for its outstanding objectthat of producing a particular seat for the ground pipe wherein isformed novel means to make electrical contact with several differentpipe sizes so the same fitting can be universally used on any size pipe.Other objects and features of the invention will be made clear from thefollowing description taken in connection with drawings illustrating theprinciples involved,

wherein is shown a. unique pipe clamp having a plurality of differentsize tooth grooves all shown in the same surface of the device.

With the foregoing objects and others. in view, the invention hasrelation to certain combinations and arrangements of parts, examples ofwhich are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one form of the invention wherein acharacteristic disc shaped pipe seat includes several different sizes ofgrooved toothed receiving means or concave contact seats for making goodelectrical connection with a water or gas pipe and for rendering thedevice universally applicable to all size pipes. This form ofconstruction includes a neck or stem capable of being adjusted to anydesirable position to attach with a conduit or cable in which a groundwire is carried. The disc pipe seat is rotatable about its center so asto swing any one of its grooved seats into service position.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the grounding fitting attached to a waterpipe or other suitable grounded conductor and shows a ground wireprotective covering (in this instance a conduit) through which a groundwire is conveyed from some accessible part of the wiring system, say anoutlet box not shown, to said fitting where the ground wire iselectrically connected to said fitting by a terminal such as a solderinlug of the usual kind.

Figure 2 is a side view on the line 22 of' Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a face view, as taken from the opposite direction of Figure1, showing several grooved and toothed pipe seats adapting the device tovarious pipe sizes and showing a water pipe in dotted lines mounted inone of the grooves.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a modified second form of the inventionwherein the characteristic toothed and grooved disc shaped pipe seat issimilar in construction to that in the first form except in this secondform the anchorage means is omitted for attaching a cable or conduit tothe fitting.

Figure 4 shows a view of the toothed and grooved face of the disc pipeseat with a water pipe clamp yoke in position thereon and with theground wire connected thereto but omitting the conduit attaching neck.

Figure 5 shows a side view of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a view from theopposite direction of that inFigure 4.

Figures and 8 illustrate a modified third' usually av water pi similarform of grounded con uctor to which the electric wiring. system may beelectrically connected to render the same safe by transmitting to theground short circuits or other stray current. In this connectlon, thecontractor installin the electric wiring s stem fifpguently empfioys aconduit or flexi 1e armo cable C in which is carried the ground wire W,one end of which is adapted to be electrically connected with the pipe Pand the other end to an outlet box or-other part of the wiring systemnot shown. The purpose of this invention is to provide suitablegrounding fittings or connectors by which the wire W carried in theconduit or cable C is positively connected to a lar pipe P or small pipeSP so that the wire ii and pipe carry away to the ground any straypotential existin 1n the conduit system of the wirin instal ation notshown.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detail description of theinvention, there is shown a simple form of pipe clamp comprising forexample a yoke 10-11 including legs 10 and an arch 11 which embraces thewater pipe P or other grounded conductor, together with a pipe strapshown in this instance as a disc 12 to span the legs 10. The pi clamp1112 includes the threaded o e ends 10 carrying nuts 13 thereon and ytightening the nuts 13, the pipe P is tigliitly gripped and clampedbetween the yo e 1011 and pipe seat or strap 12. This pipe seat 12 issusceptible to variations in structure, adjustment and use, and hencepossesses features characteristic of this invention as will be explainedin further detail. Particularly the pi seat 12 is made to fityarioussize ipes an as an example two pi sizes are s own at P and SP.

e disk ipe seat 12 is made with a plurality of di erent sized toothedpipe grooves 15, 16 and 17, be inning with a relatively small size andgraduating through the larger size shown. The pipe seats 15, 16 and 17may be toothed, corrugated or roughened as shown in Figure 3 or may begrooved out in smooth surface form as shown in Figure 2. The toothedgrooves afiord positive means of breaking through the scale of a pipesurface and establishing good electrical grounded contact with the pipebody thus avoiding all possibilities of a loose connection which mightcause an electric spark or are. \Vhile the pipe seat 12 is shown disk orcircular in firm, it is to be understood that itmay assume any suitableshape, such as square, rectangular, oblong or otherwise in shape for thepurpose of making a suitable pi seat for s anning the l 10. The nuts 1draw toget er the pipe ,seat 12 and yoke 11 to electrically connect thepipe P and seat 12.

In some forms of the ound fittings as shown in Figures 1, 2 an 3 it isdesirable to provide an anchorage means for attaching the usualprotective covering enclosing the ground wire W and this covering isordinarily a cable or a conduit C. In this connection a neck or stem 20carries a conduit or cable anchorage means such as a threaded sleeve 21.Any suitable form of cable connector or conduit coupler may be used. Theconduit C is screw threaded into the sleeve 21 or otherwise attachedthereto. In this way the wire W is lead through the conduit or cable Cand sleeve 21 toward one of the legs 10 of the pipe clamp to which thewire is elec trically connected.

The neck or stem 20 carrying the conduit anchorage sleeve 21 is madeintegral with a plate or pipe seat support 22 embracing one or both legs10 of the pipe clamp and s reading under the pipe seat 12 to support t elatter. While the drawings show the plate 22 as reachin across the clampfrom one leg 10 to the ot er, it is to be noted that the plate I 21 maysimply be connected to either one or both of the legs as desired, andhence may be of shorter structure and formation than shown, so as to begripped by one of the nuts 13 if desired.

The plate 22 carrying the stem 20 and cable or conduit anchorage device21 is shown made in the form of a disk for rotary adjustment upon thepipe P so as to direct the stem 20 and anchorage sleeve 21 in anydesired direction, whereby a conduit 0 may be attached to the stem 20regardless of the direction or position of said conduit. For the urposeof attaining rotary adjustment for t e plate 22 and stem 20, there areformed a number of holes 23 about the periphery or edge of said plate.These holes 23 are adapted to receive the clamp legs 10 and any suitablepair of opposite disposed holes 23 can be selected to receive the clamplegs 10 by which the neck 20 and sleeve 21 are pointed in any suitabledirection. Eight holes 23 are shown in the support plate 22 to gain asfine adjustment or as many positions as ossible for the neck 20, butmore or less ho es may be used as desired. It is readily seen that theplate or support 22 for the pi e seat 12 can be adjusted rotatably aboutt e stationary clamp yoke 10-11, while the latter remains astride thewater or other ground pipe P.

The pipe seat 12 is shown made in the form of a disc as alreadysuggested and hence matches its support and carries the toothed pipeseat grooves 15, 16 and 17, as already ex- Ill III

plained, and this is a mere example of one construction produced inaccordance with the princi les of thlSlIlVGlltiOD. Since the exampleinvention shown includes a ipe seat 12 having three toothed grooves, tere are preferably formed six holes in pairs 18 and 19 and hence threepairs about the peripher of the pipe seat 12. In other words, the ho es18 and 19 are paired by arranging them diametrically opposite the centerof the pipe seat 12, and moreover, the holes 18 and 19 are arranged inpairs substantially right angular to the longitudinal axis of eachgrooved pipe seat 15, 16 and 17 so that the ipe clamp 10-11 straddlesthe ground pipe g at right angles thereto. I have provided one pair ofholes 18 and 19 for each grooved pipe seat 15, 16 and 17. Therefore, thecorrect size grooved pipe seat 15, 16 or 17 is selected in accordancewith the size of pipe P available for the grounding connection,whereupon the pipe clamp 10-11 is placed astride pipe P through the pairof holes 18 and 19 adapted to that particular pipe seat.

The holes 18-19 and holes 23 inthe two mating members 12 and 22 registerso that the clamp legs 10 are passed thru both members whereupon thenuts 13 are tightened to clamp all parts together. Whereas the pipe seat12 is rotated to that number of positions only as represented by thenumber of pipe grooves 15, 16 and 17, the support plate 22 itself iscapable of a larger number of adjustments because of its larger numberof holes 23. In other words, the plate 22 is made with a considerablenumber of clamp leg receiving holes 23 set closely together by which theneck is swung about in short step adjustments to point in any number ofdirections closely related in degree. Both members 12 and 22 aretherefore fully adjustable to register their holes with each other,-topoint the neck 20 in the proper direction to receive a conduit C, and tofit different sizes of pipes, a large pipe P or small pipe SP.

The ground wire W carries the usual ground terminal or soldering lug 24having a bolt receiving eye 25 to fit under the nut 13. Hence thesoldering lug terminal 24-25 makes positive electrical connection withthe clamp leg 10, the plate 22, and thus with the pipe This form ofgrounding fitting provides a positive ground connection and 1s simple toinstall because two nuts anchor all parts together and simultaneouslyoperates the pipe clamp 11-12 and makes a ground connection thru theelectrical connector 13-24 since these two latter named parts 13 and 24provide an eificient electrical connector on the grounding fitting toreceive the wire W.

. Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, there is shown a pipe seat 28similar to the constr-uction already described, together with a pipeclamp including an arch 29 and threaded legs 30 which are dis osedthrough holes formed in the seat 28. lamp nuts 31 draw the clamp parts28 and 29-30 together against the pi e P to make an electricalconnection with t e latter. The groundwire W has the e e of its terminallug 32 placed under one of t e nuts 31 thereby establishing anelectrical ground connection between the wire W and the pipe SP. In thisform of the invention, the pipe seat 28 may be provided with graduatedsizes of toothed pipe receiving grooves 33, 34, and so on, in the samemanner as heretofore described. In other words, Figures 4, 5 and 6illustrate the simplicity of the grounding fitting and show its mannerof use when it is unnecessary to carry the wire W in the conduit Cheretofore described. In the latter instance, the plate 22 of Figure 1is omitted from the pipe clamp and the wire W is simply connected to oneof the lugs 30 in the same manner as heretofore described.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a simple type of groundclamp including a yoke strap 37 having holes in its ends to receive thethreaded legs 38 of the arched yoke 39 embracing the pipe P and clam ingit against the toothed groove seat 40. uts 41 draw the clamp parts 37and 39 together. The ground wire W has its terminal lug eye 42 clampedunder the nut 41 to make electrical connection between the wire W andthe pipe P. This last form of construction of Figures 7 and 8 affords asimple type of ground clamp and it is practical to rovide yoke straps 3having difierent size pipe seat grooves to adapt the device to varioussize water pipes, large pipes R or smaller pipes SP as shown in thedrawings.

The invention therefore provides a principle of construction and usewhich is susceptible of various concrete embodiments as shown in thethree or more examples portrayed in the drawings. By use of one of theselected types of construction, the ground wire W is easily groundedthrough a positive electrical connection established with a water pipeand the invention serves a long felt use.

What is claimed is:

1. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clamp including a yoke having legswith an arch adapted to straddle a pipe, strap seat means carried on theyoke legs and engaging the pipe, said strap seat means having formedtherein a plurality of toothed grooves into which the pipe is seated,said grooves being formed of different sizes in the same face of thepipe seat means, nuts threaded on the yoke legs and tightened againstthe strap seat means to grip the pipe in the clamp, and ground wireconnector means carried on the fitting.

2. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clamp including a yoke having legswith an arch adapted to straddle a pipe, a strap means carried on theyoke legs and en pipe, said strap means having forme therein a pluralityof toothed grooves into which the ipe is seated, said toothedgrooveebemg ormed at difierent an les an hence crossing each other andma e in the same face of the strap means, nuts threaded on the yoke laand tightened against the strap means to grip the pipe in the clamp, andground wire connecter means carried on the thug.

3. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clam including a yoke having legs withan arc adn ted to straddle a pi strap means carrie on the yoke legs anengaging the pipe, said strap means aving formed therein a large sizegroove into which the pipe is seated and having additional small sizegrooves graduated downwardly in size from the large groove, all groovescrossing each other at an angle in the center of the strap means, nutsthreaded on the yoke legs and tightened against the strap means to gripthe pipe in the clamp, and round wire connecter means carried on thetting.

4. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clamp including a yoke having legswith an arch adapted to straddle a pipe, a strap means carried on theyoke legs and engaging the pipe, said strap means having formed thereina number of grooves into which the pipe is seated, a plurality of pairsof holesbeing provided in the stra means upon opposite sides of eachgroove or reception of t e legs adapting all grooves for use byadjustment of the strap means, nuts threaded on the yoke legs andtightened against the strap means to grip the pipe in the clamp, andground wire connecter means carried on the ttin 5. In a groundingfitting, a pipe clamp including a yoke arched over a grounded memher andhaving legs to straddle said grounded member, and including a disk-shaed seat carried on the yoke, a plurality of oles being provided in theperiphery of the disk into which the legs are received whereby thedisk-shaped seat is adjustably positioned on the yoke legs, a pluralityof different size pipe grooves being formed in the seat, and a groundwire connecter on the fitting.

6. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clamp including a yoke arched over agrounded member and having legs to straddle said grounded member, andincluding a disk-shaped seat carried on the yoke, a plurality of holesbeing provided in the periphery of the disk into which the legs arereceived whereby the disk-shaped seat is adjustably positioned on theyoke legs, a plurality of different size pipe grooves being formed inthe seat, the grooves being formed in the same face of the seat andangularly arranged in respect to each other, each groove being formedbetween the holes aforesaid which holes are arranged including throu .of

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and a ground connecter-on 7.11" undingfi' a i clam a rcularseatanyoklzgswi nuts threaded on the le said seat being provided 'with a pluraliy of pipe contact across the face thereof, said grooves theirlongitudinal axes assing the center of the seat, a p urality ears ofholes be provided in the seat wit a groove diepose d between the holes,and a ground wire connecter on the fitting.

8. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clamp including a circular seat andyoke legs with nuts threaded on the legs, said seat being provided witha plurality of pipe contact grooves across the face thereof, the severalgrooves being made in the same face of the seat, said grooves havintheir longitudinal axes passing through t e center of the seat, aplurality of pairs of holes being provided in the seat with a groovedisposed between the holes, said two holes of each pair being disposedon each side ofa groove at right angles to the longitudinal axis of saidgroove, and a ground wire connecter on the fitting.

9. In a grounding fitting, a pi clam including a circular seat and yokeegs with nuts threaded on the legs, said seat being provided with aplurality of pipe contact grooves across the face thereof, said grooveshaving their longitudinal axes passing through the center of the seat, aplurality of pairs of holes being provided in the seat with a hole uponeither side of each groove, a ground wire connecter on the fitting, asupport plate carried on the legs and having a plurality of adjustmentholes about its periphery means carried on the support plate to which aground wire protective covering may be attached, and said means beingadjustable to any direction by angularly positioning the plate on theyoke le 10. In a grounding fitting, a pipe 0 amp including a circularseat and yoke le with nuts threaded on the legs, said seat beingprovided with a plurality of pipe contact grooves across the facethereof, said grooves having their longitudinal axes passing through thecenter of the seat, a plurality of pairs of holes being provided in theseat with a hole upon either side of each groove, a ground wireconnecter on the fitting, a support plate having anchorage means towhich a ground wire protective covering may be attached, said platehaving a larger number of holes in its periphery than in the circularseat, said plate being disposed adjacent the seat under the nuts, andsaid seat and plate both being angularly adjustable on the pipe and inrelation to each other.

11. In a grounding fitting, a yoke formed of threaded legs and an archto embrace a pipe, a plate with holes around its periphery mounted onthe legs, nuts to tighten the fitmounted on the legs, nuts to tightenthe fittin on a pipe, a neck carried on the plate,

anc orage means carried on the neck and plate to which may be attached aground wire protective covering, a disk pipe seat'mounted either side ofeach groove, a ort plate car ried on the legs and having a p urahty ofadjustment holes about its periphery, means carried on the support plateto which a ground wire protective covering may be attached, and saidmeans being adjustable to any direction by angularly positioning theplate on the yoke legs.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si ature.

. LEWIS H. C OH.

on the legs between the arch and late, means cooperating with the legsto a 0rd angular adjustment of the seat in relation to the legs saidseat being provided with a plurality 0 different size pipe contactgrooves which are I lined up at right angles to the yoke legs by angularadjustment of the seat and ground wire connecter means on the fittlng.

13. In a grounding fitting, a yoke having an arch and threaded legs, aclrcular pipe seat having three pipe grooves of difl'erent sizes in thatsurface thereof which faces the yoke arch, said seat having two holestherethrough for each, groove and each groove being disposed between twoholes, whereby six holes are formed in the eriphery of the pipe seat forthe reception 0? the yoke legs thereby affording three adjustmentpositions for the pipe seat, a support plateon the legs against whichthe 1pipe seat rests, means on the plate throu h w ich the legs projectto allow angular a ustment of said plate in relation to the legfnandinrelation to the seat, said means a 'tting of a greater number ofadjustment positions for theglplate than the seat, anchorage meanscarrie by the plate and swingable in various directions and to which aground wire protective covering is attached, and a ground wire connecteron the fitting.

14. In a grounding fitting, a pipe clam including a yoke having legswith an are adapted to straddle a pipe, strapseat means carried on theyoke legs and engaging the pipe, said stra seat means having formedtherein a plura 'ty of grooves into which the is seated, said groovesbeing formed.- of

p1 e difierent sizes in the same face of the pi e seat means, and nutsthreaded on the yo e legs and tightened against the strap seat means togrip the pipe 1n the clamp.

15. Ina ound fittin a ipe clam ingr mg i ke legs Evith eluding acircular seat an dy nuts threaded on the legs, sai seat being providedwith a plurality of pipe contact ooyes across the face thereof, saidgrooves avmg their longitudinal axes passing throu h the center of theseat, a lurality 0 pairs 0 holes being provided in t e seat with a hole.upon

